Tuesday, June 26, 2018

NOTE: Info about the event has also been posted on our chapter Facebook group. You can also follow our chapter on Twitter to see member tweets and general retweets of interest to cartoonists. It's time again for our far-flung NCS chapter to gather for our annual cartooning weekend!

MAIN EVENT (Open to the public): Hear some talks by professional cartoonists and hang out with other cartoonists and cartooning fans (it's also a fun way to check out the NCS if you have ever thought about joining.) Come to Andrews McMeel Universal Syndicate for a great lineup of speakers:Eric Scott (artist at Andrews McMeel Universal):

The Dwayne Chronicles by Eric Scott

Richard Graham, Univ. of Nebraska Professor and author of a new book on Rose O’Neill, Illustrator and inventor of the Kewpie Doll:

The weekend will also include a chapter meeting (NCS members only) and lots of socializing over meals and drinks (open to NCS members and anyone interested in joining the NCS). TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:FRIDAY, Oct 12:Arrive at Aladdin Holiday Inn (Google Map). Social time to meet, greet, drink TBA.SATURDAY, Oct 13:7:30-9:30am - Breakfast at Aladdin Holiday Inn (Google Map)

10:00am - Meet in lobby at Andrews McMeel Universal Syndicate, 1130 Walnut St, Kansas City MO 64106 (Google Map). If you are driving in for the day there is a city parking garage right across the street from the AMU offices.10:30-11:30am - NCS chapter meeting. (NCS members only)11:30am-12:30pm - Lunch courtesy of NCS N. Central Chapter1:00-4:30pm - MAIN EVENT! Guest speakers Eric Scott, Richard Graham, and Wiley Miller, followed by raffle of original art, books, and other cartoon collectibles. Open to the public.5:00pm - Cocktail party for N. Central Chapter hosted by John Glynn, President and Editorial Director, AMU

HOTEL RESERVATIONS:We have a block of rooms reserved for chapter members just a couple of blocks from Universal Syndicate headquarters where we'll be meeting. The rate is $129 per night single or double. Valet parking is $18. There are also city parking garages nearby that will be cheaper. Deadline for reservations is September 12. Mention you're with the National Cartoonists Society to get the discounted rate.Aladdin Holiday Inn1215 WyandotteKansas City, MO 64105(816) 421-8888ihg.com

Thursday, October 5, 2017

This past weekend chapter members from all over the midwest gathered in Lincoln, Nebraska for our annual chapter get-together. We viewed an exhibit of comic book art by Dan Hall, listened to presentations by three speakers (John Hambrock, Tom Kerr, and a keynote by award-winning New York illustrator Steve Brodner), and engaged in the usual tomfoolery.

During out chapter meeting it was announced that at the national level the NCS is taking steps to adapt to cartooning in the 21st century. It sounds like the leadership is thinking about what it can do to offer more value to web cartoonists as well as to adjust to the changing industry landscape. That was good to hear.

Here's a few photos, submitted by chapter members Mike Edholm and Cedric Hohnstadt:

We had a great turnout considering the fact that our chapter covers nine states. Many members travelled hundreds of miles to attend.

Monday, August 14, 2017

NOTE: Info about the event has also been posted on our chapter Facebook group. You can also follow our chapter on Twitter to see member tweets and general retweets of interest to cartoonists. It's time again for our far-flung NCS chapter to gather for our annual cartooning weekend! We will be inviting the public to join us at the Univeristy of Nebraska Love Library for a great lineup of speakers including John Hambrock (syndicated cartoonist, "The Brilliant Mind of Edison Lee"), Tom Kerr (illustrator/cartoonist), and for the keynote, political illustrator Steve Brodner.

John Hambrock

Tom Kerr

Steve Brodner

The weekend will also include a chapter meeting (NCS members only) and lots of socializing over meals and drinks (open to NCS members and anyone interested in joining the NCS). SCHEDULE:FRIDAY, Sept29:7:00pm - Gather in bar at The Graduate hotel (formerly Holiday Inn) (google maps) to meet, greet, drink.SATURDAY, Sept. 30:8:00am - Breakfast at The Graduate hotel (google maps). 10:00am - Head for Love Library on UNL campus (google maps) for NCS chapter meeting. (NCS members only)10:30am - View exhibit of new comic work by chapter member Bob Hall on second floor of library. (Open to the public).11:00am - Lunch @ Nebraska Student Union1:00pm - Return to Love Library for featured speakersTom Kerr, John Hambrock, Steve Brodner. (Open to the public).3:00pm - Annual chapter raffle.5:30pm - Walk from hotel to nearby restaurant (to be announced) for drinks and dinner.Following dinner we’ll sample the offerings of some of thedrinking establishments in Lincoln’s Haymarket area.SUNDAY, Oct. 1:8:00am - Breakfast at The Graduate hotel (google maps). Heading for home

HOTEL RESERVATIONS:A block of rooms is available for chapter members at Lincoln's newest hotel, The Graduate (formerly the downtown Holiday Inn). The hotel is a short walk to Love Library, as well as a multitude of restaurants and drinking establishments. Book before Sept. 8 and get a special room rate of $119 per night.

To make room reservations:

The Graduate141 N. 9th. StreetLincoln, NE 68508402-475-4011https://www.graduatehotels.com/lincoln/Ask for the special room rate for The National Cartoonists Society.We hope to see you there!Follow us:Chapter Facebook GroupChapter Twitter feed

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

The North Central Chapter of the National Cartoonists Society is having its annual chapter meeting in Sioux Falls Saturday Oct. 29th. All the conference activities planned are open and free to the public. Professional cartoonists from across the Midwest will be in attendance. These cartoonists work in the field of syndication, editorial, magazine cartooning, illustrator and others aspects of the industry. The public will have a chance meet and greet the cartoonists and get signed cartoon art Saturday morning at Zandboz bookstore downtown Sioux Falls from 10:00 to 11:30.

Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to 4:00 at the Downtown Public Library three nationally recognized cartoonists will make presentations. Steve Sack , Pulitzer Prize Winner editorial cartoonist from the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Paul Trap, creator of the syndicated comic strip “Thatababy” and Richie Graham, University of Nebraska professor, “How cartoons have been used in the war effort” will speak. Raffle for cartoon items and art will follow the presentations.

For more detailed information about the chapter meeting, contact Ken Alvine at kenalvine@gmail.com.

Monday, September 26, 2016

Hundreds of people showed up for the St. Jude Walk/Run for childhood cancer.

Kelly McNutt draws with a young artist

Kelly McNutt and Phil Juliano pass on some cartooning secrets to the next generation.

Cedric Hohnstadt (left) and Kelly McNutt (right) draw for the kiddos.

The National Cartoonists Society partners with St. Jude by sending cartoonists to hospitals around the country to visit and draw with sick kids (more info here.) This past Saturday (Sept. 24) was the annual Minneapolis St. Jude Walk/Run for childhood cancer, held at the brand new US Bank Stadium. Local NCS members Cedric Hohnstadt (illustrator), Kelly McNutt (animator) and Phil Juliano (“Best In Show”) spent the morning drawing with kids, answering their questions, and offering a few pointers. It was a lot of fun.

St. Jude is a terrific organization that does great work, and patients are never charged for any of their services. If you want to help them in their fight against childhood cancer you can chip in a donation on their website. Even small gifts make a difference.

Thursday, August 18, 2016

Not since the days of the cattle drives to the stockyards of Omaha, has so much hoopla occurred in a day in the “River City” as the arrival of MAD Magazine’s art director, Sam Viviano, contributing cartoonist/illustrator, Tom Richmond, and contributing writer, Desmond Devlin. It should be noted that fellow contributing writer, Dick DeBartolo, was also in attendance but given Dick’s magical powers to be in two places at once with a little help from Skype.

Friday night, August 12, found the KANEKO filled with MAD fans, listening, watching, and participating in a two-hour presentation called MAD about Storytelling explaining how the artists and writers at MAD approach storytelling in its legendary movie parodies, gag cartoons, and satire. Featured in the presentation were a number of classic MAD magazine parodies from decades past right up to the present by MAD’s contributors, known affectionately as the “Usual Gang of Idiots.” All in attendance were thrilled to meet these fun loving and creative fellows from MAD. To the delight of the speakers, one guest announced that she had been an intern at MAD magazine.

KANEKO is a truly amazing arts, education, and performance venue in Omaha. KANEKO is a 501(c)(3), public non-profit cultural organization, exploring and encouraging the process of creativity, and how it impacts our lives. We believe that everyone can be creative; the challenge is to recognize opportunities for creative effort. As humans we need to harness and cultivate creativity in our citizens and invest in a creative society.

Established in 1998 by international artist Jun Kaneko and his wife Ree, KANEKO is headquartered in three turn-of- the-century warehouses in the Old Market District of Omaha, Nebraska. KANEKO is an institution with a vision to celebrate creativity and is committed to fostering it as the overriding mission with four major programming themes: Design, Ideas, Performance, and Innovation. More information about The Kaneko can be found on their website at http://thekaneko.org/

Our 2016 Chapter Meeting will be held October 28-29 in Sioux Falls, SD (more info here). Speakers Paul Trap (syndicated cartoonist of "Thattababy") and cartooning professor Richie Graham (author of Government Issue) will now be joined by Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Steve Sack. Steve is the editorial cartoonist for the Minneapolis Star-Tribune and co-artist for the cartoon activity panel "Doodles".

The meeting is open to anyone interested in the National Cartoonists Society and/or the profession of cartooning. You do NOT have to be a chapter member to attend!

It's gonna be a fun time! Get more info and book your hotel room here. Hope to see you there!

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

The Walt Disney Hometown Toonfest is an annual festival in Marceline, MO, the town where Walt Disney spent his boyhood. It's a popular event celebrating men and women from the A-list in the world of cartooning and animation. Each year's day-long event includes a parade, guest speakers, and an art show.

This year’s Toonfest is scheduled for September 15-17, 2016. A number of NCS members have been featured speakers at past Toonfests. Terri Libenson (“Pajama Diaries”) is one of this year’s headliners, along with editorial cartoonist Gustavo Rodriquez and Disney animators Dan Jeup and Jay Jackson.

Whether you are an official NCS member or if you are just affiliated with the group, you are invited to participate in the art show. Just email 2-3 of your cartoons to Paul Fell (pfell@neb.rr.com) before Labor Day (Sept. 5, 2016). Images can be in PDF or JPEG format at 300 dpi. We’ll take care of getting them sized, printed, and matted for the show. After the weekend exhibit, your originals will be mailed back to you with the Toonfest paying the postage.

If you prefer to send original art (which we’d REALLY like to see) please be sure it is matted or mounted on mat board. Send it to the Toonfest office at:

Toonfest Office
207 N. Main St., USA
Marceline, MO 64658

Your participation in the 2016 Walt Disney Hometown Toonfest will be greatly appreciated.

Friday, July 29, 2016

For a few years now the NCS has sent cartoonists to military units and hospitals to draw for soldiers and help boost morale. Now, in that same spirit of charity and fun, the NCS is partnering with St. Jude to help bring some joy to kids who are battling cancer.

Cartoonist Steve McGarry draws with a patient named Tyler at a St. Jude event.

They kicked off that effort with a huge event at St. Jude’s Hospital in Memphis during the 2016 Reuben weekend. Sixty NCS members spent the day at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital drawing for the patients and their families and handing out goodie bags crammed with t-shirts, sketchbooks, crayons, toys, comics and books. The artists then attended a special dinner where they did more art to be sold later to benefit St. Jude.

If you missed out on that, you have another opportunity to help! In September, St. Jude supporters and 61 cities across the country will participate in the Saint Jude walk/run to end childhood cancer. Last year NCS chapters participated in New York City, Connecticut, and Philadelphia, and everyone had a great time.

Different cities hold walks/runs on different weekends in September. Since our chapter covers several states, its not really practical for our chapter to organize one specific event. So we are leaving it up to individual cartoonists to participate locally in their cities. Find your local walk/run here. If you would like to volunteer your talent, time, and/or artwork, contact Kathy Fairbanks (Kathy.Fairbanks@stjude.org) for details. Also, the NCS will be happy to send you all kinds of promo materials to use at one of these events, as well as goodie bags and other stuff.

(If you live in the Lincoln, NE area contact Paul Fell. He is in the process of trying to organize something.)

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About Us

News, announcements, and occasional craziness from the National Cartoonists Society's North Central Chapter. Geographically, we are the largest chapter in the organization but we also like to think we have the most fun!